I made a bookmark for my mother-in-law for Christmas, but I forgot to take a picture of it. I’m not sure why, but I forget to take pictures of over half the things I make for her. I made it from frosted clear seed beads with pink and purple silver-lined seed bead hearts. She’s commented several times on how much she likes it, so I decided to make one for myself.

The little slip of paper I have been using for a bookmark is so worn it feels like cloth, so I’ve been needing a new one. All my other bookmarks are in use holding my place in non-fiction books. I have a habit of putting bookmarks to hold places I might need to reread for research. Using sticky notes would make more sense, but I never seem to have any when I need them. Besides, making sense is banned in this household.

I decided to use square stitch over peyote stitch because it bends nicely where it sticks out of the top of the book. I find making my own patterns easier with square stitch anyway.

I was going to make it about the size of a normal bookmark, but instead made it the width and length I would have made a bracelet. So, if I ever decide to, I can turn it into a bracelet by adding a clasp.

All the beads are Czech round seed beads that I had in abundance. The pattern is simple and I felt a little lazy not coming up with something more creative, but I can always make another one. I have a few patterns I’ve been dying to try, I just need to get the right colors.

The great thing about this project, you can make it as wide and long as you like. You can have a skinny bookmark as long as a book, a super wide, chunky bookmark or any combination. My bookmark is 20 seed beads wide and about 62 rows long because that’s the size I made the last square stitch bracelet.

I’ve included some YouTube videos on the square stitch and how to decrease. I’ve thought about making my own videos, but there are already so many great instructional videos, I don’t think I could add anything to what’s already available.

I’m too shy anyway. 😛

If you have any questions, feel free to comment or use the contact page to get in touch with me directly.

This hand woven flat spiral bracelet was created as a gift for a graduate this year. Jet black crystals embellished with fire-polished silver crystals and hematite seed beads, this bracelet is understated with a little sparkle to catch the eye. Made with strong Fireline for lasting strength.

The toggle clasp is fashionable and easier to fasten than most locking clasps.

This bracelet isn’t currently for sale, but you can find similar designs on sale at Countrysidewalk.com